In the dynamic legal landscape of the United Arab Emirates, securing your legacy and protecting your family’s future requires specialized expertise. At our firm, located in Aspin Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, we provide comprehensive legal counsel for DIFC wills, ensuring that expatriates and business owners can navigate the complexities of inheritance with absolute certainty. Our licensed practitioners operate across the DIFC Court, ADGM Court, and the Dubai Court of First Instance, offering a bridge between Common Law protections and UAE civil regulations.
DIFC Wills for Expats Guide: Securing Your Assets in Dubai
For non-Muslim residents and investors, understanding how to register a will in DIFC 2024 is the first step toward effective asset protection. Under the DIFC Wills Rules, the DIFC Wills Service Centre allows for the registration of testamentary documents that provide “testamentary freedom.” This means you can choose exactly how your Dubai-based assets are distributed, circumventing the default Sharia-based distribution outlined in the UAE Personal Status Law (Federal Law No. 28 of 2005).
Why Do I Need a Will in DIFC?
Without a registered DIFC will, the distribution of your assets—including real estate in Dubai Marina, bank accounts in Downtown Dubai, and shares in local companies—may be subject to local intestacy laws. This can lead to lengthy probate proceedings and uncertainty for surviving family members. A DIFC property will or a DIFC business owners will provides a clear, legally binding roadmap for the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry to follow, ensuring your intentions are honored.
DIFC Estate Planning for Non-Muslims: A Strategic Approach
Our Private Client Department specializes in DIFC estate planning, moving beyond simple document drafting to create robust succession frameworks. We integrate DIFC Trust Law and DIFC Personal Property Law to protect high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and their families.
- DIFC Succession Planning Advisors: We assist in structuring family offices and holding companies within the DIFC and ADGM jurisdictions.
- DIFC Guardianship Wills: For parents, this is the most critical document. It allows you to nominate permanent and interim guardians for minor children, preventing the Dubai Prosecutor’s Office or local courts from having to make emergency custody decisions based on default statutory regulations.
- DIFC Inheritance Lawyers: Our team manages the delicate process of DIFC inheritance distribution, ensuring that assets are transferred efficiently to the rightful beneficiaries.
DIFC Probate Lawyers: Navigating Post-Life Administration
When a loved one passes, our Probate Unit provides steady guidance through the DIFC probate process. Unlike the local courts, which may require extensive document legalization and translation, the DIFC Court operates in English and follows Common Law principles.
DIFC Probate Proceedings Counsel
As experienced DIFC probate lawyers, we represent executors in obtaining a Grant of Probate. This involves:
- Verification: Validating the registered DIFC will through the registry.
- Asset Collection: Working with the Dubai Police General Headquarters and financial institutions to secure the estate.
- Debt Settlement: Ensuring all liabilities are cleared in accordance with DIFC Wills Rules.
- Distribution: Facilitating the final transfer of titles and funds.
DIFC Will Types and Costs
Every client has unique needs. We offer specialized services for various DIFC will types:
- Full Will: Covers all UAE assets and guardianship.
- Property Will: Specifically for up to five real estate properties in the UAE.
- Business Owners Will: Dedicated to shares in RAKICC, ADGM, or DIFC entities.
- Financial Assets Will: Focused on bank and brokerage accounts.
The DIFC will costs are transparent, involving both the registry’s fixed fees and our firm’s professional fees for drafting and execution. Investing in a professional will today prevents the significant financial and emotional costs of contested probate tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I register a will in DIFC in 2024?
Registering a will involves drafting a document that complies with DIFC Wills Rules, uploading it to the DIFC Wills Service Centre portal, and attending a registration appointment (virtual or in-person). Our DIFC wills registration specialists handle the legal drafting to ensure the document is watertight.
Firm’s Role: We provide bespoke drafting and represent you during the registration.
Disclaimer: Registration fees are set by the DIFC and are subject to change.
Law: Refers to DIFC Wills and Probate Registry Rules.
2. What happens to my Dubai property if I die without a will?
Under the UAE Personal Status Law (Federal Law No. 28 of 2005), the courts may apply Sharia principles to the distribution of your assets. This often results in a distribution that differs from common law expectations.
Firm’s Role: We create DIFC property wills to preempt default legal applications.
Disclaimer: Legal outcomes depend on the specific asset structure.
Law: Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 (Civil Transactions Law).
3. Can I include my business shares in a DIFC will?
Yes, a DIFC business owners will is specifically designed for shareholders of UAE-based companies, including those in free zones like the DIFC and ADGM.
Firm’s Role: We conduct due diligence on corporate structures to ensure shares are transferable.
Disclaimer: Company Articles of Association must allow for such transfers.
Law: UAE Commercial Companies Law and DIFC Companies Law.
4. Is a DIFC will valid for assets outside of Dubai?
A DIFC Will can cover assets across all Emirates of the UAE and even international assets, provided the jurisdiction recognizes such testamentary documents.
Firm’s Role: We provide cross-border estate planning advice.
Disclaimer: International enforcement requires local legal advice in those specific countries.
Law: DIFC Wills Rules.
5. How does guardianship work in a DIFC will?
A DIFC guardianship will allows parents to nominate guardians for minors living in the UAE. This prevents the Dubai Prosecutor’s Office from having to intervene in the absence of a legal directive.
Firm’s Role: We draft specific guardianship clauses that meet both DIFC and UAE Federal standards.
Disclaimer: Guardianship is always subject to the “best interests of the child” as determined by the court.
Law: Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 (Penal Code) regarding child protection.
6. Can a DIFC will be contested?
While possible, a registered DIFC will is significantly harder to contest than an unregistered one because it is vetted by the registry at the time of signing.
Firm’s Role: We provide DIFC probate proceedings counsel to defend the estate against claims.
Disclaimer: No law can entirely prevent a party from filing a claim.
Law: DIFC Wills Rules Part 4.
7. What is the role of the DIFC Court in probate?
The DIFC Court has exclusive jurisdiction over the probate of wills registered with the DIFC registry, providing a Common Law framework for administration.
Firm’s Role: We act as authorized practitioners to file for Grants of Probate.
Disclaimer: Court timelines vary based on estate complexity.
Law: DIFC Law No. 12 of 2004.
8. Are there taxes on inheritance in the UAE?
Currently, the UAE does not impose an inheritance tax. However, there are administrative fees for transferring titles at the Dubai Land Department.
Firm’s Role: We coordinate with the Dubai Land Department for smooth title transfers.
Disclaimer: Tax laws in your home country may still apply to UAE assets.
Law: UAE Federal Tax Authority regulations.
9. How long does the DIFC probate process take?
Typically, probate can take between 3 to 9 months, depending on the speed of asset verification and the UAE Immigration Law requirements regarding the cancellation of the deceased’s visa.
Firm’s Role: We manage all administrative filings to expedite the process.
Disclaimer: Delays may occur if assets are held in multiple jurisdictions.
Law: UAE Immigration Law.
10. Can I update my DIFC will after registration?
Yes, a will can be amended via a codicil or revoked and replaced with a new version as your circumstances change.
Firm’s Role: We provide ongoing reviews for our clients to ensure their wills reflect their current asset portfolio.
Disclaimer: Re-registration fees apply for updates.
Law: DIFC Wills Rules.
Overview
Arabic
نحن مكتب محاماة رائد يقع في برج أسبين، شارع الشيخ زايد، ومتخصصون في صياغة وتسجيل وصايا مركز دبي المالي العالمي (DIFC). تهدف خدماتنا إلى حماية أصول الوافدين وغير المسلمين في دولة الإمارات، وضمان انتقال الثروة بسلاسة وفقاً لرغبات الموصي. نحن مرخصون للتقاضي أمام محاكم مركز دبي المالي العالمي، ومحاكم سوق أبوظبي العالمي، والمحاكم الاتحادية، مما يضمن توافق خطتك العقارية مع قوانين الأحوال الشخصية وقوانين الميراث المعمول بها.
English
Based in Aspin Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, our firm provides expert DIFC Wills and estate planning services. We assist expats and HNWIs in registering wills that provide testamentary freedom, bypassing default Sharia distribution for non-Muslims. Our team handles the entire process, from guardianship provisions to DIFC probate proceedings, ensuring your UAE assets—from real estate to business interests—are legally protected.
Spanish
Somos expertos en testamentos de DIFC y planificación patrimonial en Dubái. Nuestra oficina en Aspin Tower asesora a extranjeros sobre cómo proteger sus activos en los Emiratos Árabes Unidos. Registramos testamentos que garantizan que sus propiedades y negocios se distribuyan según su voluntad, evitando complicaciones legales y protegiendo el futuro de su familia.
French
Basé sur Sheikh Zayed Road, notre cabinet est spécialisé dans les testaments DIFC pour les expatriés. Nous vous aidons à sécuriser vos actifs immobiliers et commerciaux aux Émirats Arabes Unis par le biais du registre des testaments du DIFC, offrant une alternative fiable aux lois locales de succession pour les non-musulmans.
German
Unsere Kanzlei im Aspin Tower ist auf DIFC-Testamente und Nachlassplanung spezialisiert. Wir unterstützen Expats dabei, ihr Vermögen in den VAE rechtssicher zu vererben. Durch ein registriertes DIFC-Testament stellen Sie sicher, dass Ihre Immobilien und Firmenanteile nach Ihrem Willen verteilt werden und Ihre Kinder rechtlich abgesichert sind.